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Archive for ◊ December, 2008 ◊

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

Acne causes embarrassment and discouragement for millions of people. Most are in their teen years, but adults are affected, too. There are many choices of acne treatment on the market. Some are well formulated, while others are weak and ineffective. Finding the best acne treatment for your skin can improve your outlook, and your looks. The best products for treating your acne are natural, gentle products. Look for botanical ingredients in the list. Some herbal ingredients that are healing to blemished skin include sage, yarrow, coltsfoot, wild thyme, horsetail, althea (or marshmallow), and balm mint (or melissa). Aloe vera is a well known skin healer, and is often included in good acne products. Also valuable in a treatment remedy for acne are certain essential oils. Some essential oils are harsh for skin. (None should be used straight, but should always be diluted with a carrier oil!) The best acne treatment products might include oils such as lavender, rose, tangerine, and geranium. These are not only healing to the skin, but will make the product smell great, too. If the product is made with a transdermal system, any vitamins or herbal ingredients will be able to absorb into the skin and treat the acne where it starts. Some vitamins that might be included in a topical acne treatment include vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and pro vitamin B5. Just like healthy food for the body, the best acne treatment will provide nourishment and nutrition directly to the skin. The skin tends to reveal the health of a person. What shows up on the outside often indicates a deficiency or need on the inside. Getting a healthy diet can help you overcome your acne, and is a good addition to make to your use of good products. Even the best products, however, won’t clear up that acne if they are used inconsistently. It’s a good idea to get into the routine of taking your vitamin supplements and cleansing your face every day. Don’t let procrastination or disorganization leave you without time for taking care of yourself. The skin is the largest organ in the body. It is a major agent in removing toxins from the body. It needs to be pampered and cared for. A moisturizer is also an important part of an acne treatment. Like other components, it needs to be 100% natural, or it can make matters worse by contributing to clogging the pores. Make sure you take the time to read the label to make sure the ingredients are natural botanicals, nutrients, and healthful oils. Some people say you should try to use only products on your skin that you would be willing to put in your mouth. This might not always be the case, since the skin does act like a filter, while absorbing nutrients and other substances. Still, one should be cautious about using unnatural products. There’s a lot more to learn about acne treatments, and you can do it at http://www.natural-acne-treatment.info

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Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

Ultram, also known by the name Tramadol, is a potent, prescription-only pain killer. There is currently very little information detailing how Tramadol works in the body, but there have been several theories put forward. Some believe that it works in a similar manner to morphine, which can represent anywhere from 5% to 10% of the formula, depending on what variant of the medication is being used. It has also been noted that some aspects of the average formula for Tramadol contains properties that affect the levels of serotonin in the body. It is very effective at doing what its supposed to do, but that doesn’t mean that the list of Tramadol side effects doesn’t exist. Tramadol side effects tend to differ with every area of the body that is affected. In most cases, only some areas of the body display side effects, but there have been some rare instances where the entirety of the body has been affected. In the rare cases (roughly 1% to 5% of all instances) that the entire body is affected, the most common side effect to be seen is malaise. Malaise is a general feeling of something being wrong with the body, though it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what. On rare occasions (roughly the same frequency as malaise), sleep disorders have also been noted as Tramadol side effects. The cardiovascular system can also suffer side effects due to Tramadol use, though they are known to occur in only 1% of all instances. The most common side effect is an abnormal electrocardiograph (ECG) reading, but there are others. Hypertension has also been known to show up as a side effect of using this particular medication. Hepatitis has also been noted as a possible side effect, though the gastrointestinal condition is known to be among the rarest possible unwanted effects that Tramadol could produce in a person. Rashes and toxic epidermal necrolysis are known to be Tramadol side effects on the skin, with the former being more common and the latter being considered rare. There may also be other side effects that are not common, which usually are the result of Tramadol interacting with other drugs or substances in the body. Side effects caused by this can be difficult to predict, mainly because there are too many variables and substances to consider. Some substances, notably alcohol and other narcotic pain killers, have been known to worsen the side effects of Tramadol. Other substances, when combined with this drug, may cause a person to feel sleepy or drowsy, as if they had just taken sleep medication or a mild sedative. Tramadol side effects aside, the drug is among the more effective medications of this sort on the market. The side effects have a low risk factor and only rarely manifest, such that most people should have no worries about developing any. Even in cases where problems manifest, most of them are minor inconveniences at their worst and should not cause anyone to worry. There are chances where the side effects can cause a major medical problem, but for the most part, these can be easily avoided by sticking to the instructions given by the doctor and avoiding any substances that might interact poorly with the medication.

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Wednesday, December 31st, 2008
Category: acne |  Tags: , , , | Leave a Comment

Because acne is the most widespread skin disorder in the world, a lot of research has been done to determine how acne forms and how it is eliminated. Over the years a number of different treatments, medicines, and products have been developed to help control and eliminate acne. Currently there are about 7 different treatments that are widely used in the prevention and elimination of acne. Subsequently, there are literally thousands of different products that use these treatments in one form or another. Acne Treatments Accutane (Isotetinoin): Accutane is a very powerful drug that is a derivative of vitamin A. It is normally prescribed for severe acne in cases where other treatments have failed to work. Accutane is normally taken for 4-6 months. The downside to Accutane is the high occurrence of side effects, some very serious. Antibiotics: Antibiotics are designed to fight bacteria and are thus used to control acne mainly from the inside. There are topical antibiotics such as clindamycin that are applied directly to the skin. Other antibiotics such as tetracycline are in pill form. Benzoyl Peroxide: This is an anti-bacterial agent that has been used to control acne for many years. It has been proven to work very well in the elimination and prevention of acne. Benzol Peroxide can be found in many prescription and over-the-counter medicines and products. Herbal Remedies: A relative newcomer to mainstream acne fighting are herbal remedies. It is thought that certain herbs are effective in regulating oil levels and other bodily functions that pertain directly to acne. Retin-A (tretinoin): Retin-A is a combination of retinoic acid and vitamin A acid. It is designed to treat acne, wrinkles, and sun damage. It supposedly does this by unplugging follicles and turnover over dead skin cells. Salicylic Acid: This is another widely used formula in controlling acne, especially preventing future breakouts. Salicylic acid helps slow down the shedding of cells inside the follicle. It is available in many over-the-counter treatments. Sulfur: Sulfur is used in acne control mainly to promote drying and peeling of the skin. This may be good for eliminating existing acne but its effects on preventing future acne are questionable. There you have it. Most acne regimens consist of one or more of the above formulas. It is important to note that everyone’s skin seems to react differently to these treatments. For some people, benzoyl peroxide works great. For others salicylic acid may work better. You really have to experiment a bit and find out which treatment works best for you.

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Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

“Obesity can damage the body by its mechanically and metabolically adverse effects on normal bodily function; not to mention the psychological anguish it can also bring.” Gastric bypass surgery is a very successful alternative to normal dieting for the obese and overweight, and is an operation that makes the stomach smaller and causes food to bypass part of the small intestine. As a result, a person feels fuller quicker when eating compared to before gastric bypass surgery. The amount of food consumed is less and therefore fewer calories are absorbed – the end result being weight loss. There are several forms of gastric bypass surgery: Roux-en-Y Bypass: This is probably the most common gastric bypass being done today. This procedure involves making a small gastric pouch high in the abdomen and just below the esophagus. A segment of small bowel is then divided and attached to this pouch, sometimes behind the colon and remainder of the stomach. The remainder of the small bowel is then attached to the bowel leading from the liver and pancreas in a shape that resembles a ‘Y’. Despite its popularity, there are some risks associated, including a narrowing at the connection between the stomach pouch and the small intestine which may require stretching at the opening, and the risk of a slowing down of the emptying of the pouch and small bowel, causing nausea and vomiting. Mini Gastric Bypass: This gastric bypass was developed by Dr. Robert Rutledge in 1997. The mini gastric bypass creates a small gastric pouch much lower in the abdomen than the previous technique and incorporates a loop connection with the small bowel that provides for a malabsorption effect similar to that used by the Roux-en-y bypass. A patient who has undergone a mini gastric bypass must be careful to avoid calcium and iron deficiencies. Risks from this operation include leaking, bowel obstruction, blood clots, and pneumonia. Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass: A Roux en-Y gastric bypass performed laparoscopically. Even though this operation takes slightly longer than the standard Roux en- Y, the recovery time is shorter. Gastric Banding: This gastric operation also limits food intake by placing a constricting ring completely around the upper end (fundus) of the stomach, creating a shape similar to that of an hour-glass. Gastric bypass is not an operation for everyone who is obese, as it is a major procedure that poses significant risks and side effects that can require permanent alterations to one’s lifestyle. However the contented customers are numerous – including many figure-conscious celebrities.

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Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

When people lose weight, everyone wants to know their secret. Now, you too can have the secrets to safe, healthy weight loss without the hunger pains. Here’s the scenario. You run into Megan. She’s an old college friend. You know the one. She was pudgy and wore loose shirts and blue jeans to camouflage the extra weight she often put on because of her fondness for Twinkies. You stop and do a double take. Is that really Megan? The face is basically the same, but the body definitely isn’t. Gone are the baggy clothes. She’s dressed in a form-fitting skirt and top that hug every curve. She looks fantastic. What’s your first question going to be? “Megan, what are your weight loss secrets?” It’s a question we ask of anyone who has undergone a total body transformation. We feel that little twinge of envy if we are wanting to lose weight to. There is nothing we’d rather know than weight loss secrets that could speed up the process, making it easier for us to lose weight and look and feel better about ourselves. What if I told you that I could give you two weight loss secrets destined to change your life? If you’re a realist, you’d probably tell me that I was full of hot air. You may even tell me you’d heard plenty of weight loss secrets and none of them had done a thing to help you in your quest. I’m here to tell you today that I have two points to make that could jumpstart your weight loss. Probably the most important of the weight loss secrets is something you probably already know but may have forgotten. It’s that to lose weight, you must cut calories. I know, this is common knowledge, but people seem to forget it sometimes. So many individuals worry about counting carbohydrates or fat grams, forgetting the whole scientific process behind losing weight. A calorie is a unit of the amount of energy in food. One calorie of grapefruit is burned off in the same way as one calorie of pizza. One of the best weight loss secrets is learning how to practice moderation. Overindulging means packing on more weight because your body takes in too many calories. The second weight loss secret I want to disclose to you is the key to unlocking the first one. Sure, you know cutting calories is the most important of weight loss secrets, but the problem is that it’s hard to do. When you’re hungry, you want to eat! Sometimes, you don’t want to munch on a celery stick or an apple. You want something that leaves you satisfied. Now, you’re in luck. You don’t have to pop a diet pill to feel “full” and curb hunger pains. The new discovery of an African cactus-style plant has totally changed the way you have to view weight loss. Hoodia Gordonii is one of the newest weight loss secrets available to aid you on your quest for the perfect figure. While many companies claim to have weight loss secrets guaranteed to help you lose weight, these ideas often pose health risks. Hoodia Gordonii is 100% safe. This vegetable actually tricks your brain into thinking you’ve already eaten. You feel satisfied, you’re not hungry, and you cut your calories easily as you watch the pounds melt away. Combining Hoodia Gordonii with a low calorie diet will enable you to achieve the weight loss results you only dreamed of. Say goodbye to the extra weight and watch yourself evolve into the person you’ve always wanted to be!

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Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

The quest for beautiful skin and hair is prevalent among women. You can make inexpensive, natural beauty and hair treatments from ingredients you have in your home that will perform just as well or better than products you purchase in the store. If you only have one natural beauty remedy in your pantry, make it Olive Oil. It’s extremely versatile and can be used on every part of your body. Olive oil is excellent for removing mascara. It’s much better than petroleum jelly or baby oil and is beneficial to the skin around your eyes. Use a few drops of olive oil in warm water for a wonderful at-home manicure. Apply your favorite lotion afterwards to lock in the moisture. Beeswax and olive oil melted and poured into a small tin makes wonderful lip balm that will keep your lips soft and smooth. Dry feet can be healed after one night of this treatment. Before bed, rub olive oil into your dry, cracked feet. Do not rinse. Then, put a cozy pair of socks on and go to sleep. Your feet will drink in the moisture and feel much better by morning. Add a few drops of olive oil to your bath water for the best skin softener you can imagine. And, if you’re feeling extra decadent, then add a few drops of essential oil for a natural aromatherapy bath. A very small amount of olive oil applied to dry hair will condition and get rid of frizz. This is a great leave-in conditioner. Olive oil can also work as a shaving cream for men with sensitive skin. Don’t buy those expensive Sea Salt Scrubs. Make your own. Just add sea salt to olive oil and you’ve got a sea salt scrub that will feel like heaven. Add a drop of essential oils if you’d like your scrub scented. Please use caution when using olive oil in your bathtub as it will get quite slippery and you don’t want to fall. It is not necessary to pay a lot of money for beauty treatment products. The things you have in your very own kitchen can often be the best beauty products available.

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